Papua New Guinea Government puts new gun licences on hold amid spate of violence

Papua New Guinea's Police Minister has put a moratorium on the issue of any new gun licences after two policemen were killed in a spate of post-election violence in the highlands.

Jelta Wong said no new licences would be issued for "an indefinite period".

"The Government is taking this measure because of the increasing number of gun-related violence and killings reported in certain parts of the country in recent times," he said.

"These include the shooting deaths of four policemen — two in Enga at the height of the recently concluded 2017 national general elections and two in Southern Highlands Province within the past few days."